Krul and Begovic lined up to replace on-loan Liverpool shot stopper

The San Paolo outfit allowed former Italy international Morgan De Sanctis to leave for southern rivals Roma in July for a nominal fee as Pepe Reina arrived on loan to link up with former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

Displaced by the signing of Simon Mignolet at Anfield, the Spaniard has enjoyed a return to top form in the shadow of Vesuvius, though has missed out of late due to injury and remains keen to join Barcelona at season’s end after a brief return to Merseyside.

Rafael Cabral, signed outright by the Partenopei from Santos for €5.5 million over the summer to be Reina’s understudy, hasn’t impressed standing in for the 31-year-old, and turn Napoli have been understood to be considering a host of options between the pipes.

According to Il Mattino, sporting director Riccardo Bigon has turned his attention to Premier League pair Tim Krul and Asmir Begovic, with Chelsea-owned Thibaut Courtois a desired addition that is recongnised to likely be out of reach.

Krul has shown well for Newcastle after battling a slew of injuries last term, making 14 saves in the Magpies’ 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last month and claiming Premier League Player of the Month honours for November.

Meanwhile Begovic has deflected a steady stream of rumours suggesting a departure from Stoke for a bigger club is imminent, insisting that he is comfortable at the Britannia Stadium for the time being.

Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis is no stranger to splashing the cash in pursuit of his club’s transfer targets and may be inclined to do so to secure his club’s future in goal ahead of next season, as Krul and Begovic’s current employers will be hesitant to let go of their respective first choice custodians.

Champions League football would to be used to leverage any sort of deal, given that Newcastle a long shot to qualify and Stoke’s primary goal being salvation from the drop, with Napoli good value to finish in the top three in Serie A this term.

Both goalkeepers would likely command a price-tag upwards of £8 million on the market.

Ian Capasso

Ian is a freelance football journalist based in Boston, USA who fell in love with the game upon first watching Francesco Totti work his magic on the ball. After earning a degree in Politics and History from Brandeis University, he turned his attention towards the world of football journalism and is now a regular contributor to Goal.com, Squawka, Rant Sports, and Soccer Newsday in addition to his work with HITC Sport.